58 Papa and Ayta Mag-indi Community By utilizing their indigenous knowledge coupled with efforts to gather further information from more mainstream sources, they try to find ways to prepare themselves against the ill effects of the pandemic to their community. Health and medical support from the government The only support group the Ayta Mag-indi peoples can count on in their community are the Ayta Barangay Health Workers, who, however, are themselves not fully informed about the pandemic. “Kaya naman nilang kumuha ng BP (blood pressure), saka temperature; saka papayuhan kang magpahinga at ‘wag magpakapagod sa trabaho ‘pag may sakit ka (They can take your blood pressure and temperature; and they will advise you to rest and not work when sick),” said Benny. However, their ability to physically visit the community has been limited since the quarantine measures were imposed. Prior to the pandemic, the higher-ranking health official in the community’s health center, a midwife, used to pay regular visits. But this has stopped upon the declaration of the lockdown. Visits to the community were only resumed after the province had been placed on general community quarantine (GCQ). When asked what service the midwife gave during her visits, the Aytas said that she simply distributed milk to identified malnourished children and gave Vitamin A supplements to both children and adults. They have become aware of the health protocols being implemented related to the effort to stop the spread of the disease. And as much as they want to comply with these protocols when they are outside of their homes, they do not always have the resources or means to do so. In the context of a community quarantine where their mobility has been restricted and many establishments have been temporarily closed, sourcing protective equipment, such as face masks, has been a challenge. In response, leaders from both barangays innovated to produce their own face masks. Likewise, they have also begun to gather leaves from medicinal plants which, based on their indigenous knowledge and experiences, can serve as disinfectants. They admitted, however, that wearing face masks is not yet a popular practice among the community members, especially when they are inside their homes or in their ancestral domain, where they felt safe from the virus. Further, based on their understanding of COVID-19, they have started to stock other medicinal plants that can help strengthen their natural immunity from diseases. They use these plants in several ways: ground and mixed with tap water as disinfectant; boiled and drunk as their indigenous tea; mixed with their daily staples; burned with firewood for the smoke to keep away the virus from coming into their homes; or even worn as a necklace (not as an amulet, though they agreed that it may seem so) to have them ready and within their reach whenever needed. They have also stored native fruits, which they know are rich with immunity-building nutrients, such as vitamin C